Trump says he has not decided whether to implement the tariffsCredit:
AP

In the letter, Apple urged the US to reconsider the proposals, saying 13 different tariffs would affect the company. It said the duties would hit the US economy more than China and affect Apple’s own contribution to the US.

“Tariffs increase the cost of our US operations, divert our resources, and disadvantage Apple compared to foreign competitors. More broadly, tariffs will lead to higher U.S. consumer prices, lower overall US economic growth, and other unintended economic consequences. As a result, tariffs will ultimately reduce the economic benefit we generate for the United States,” it said.

“It is difficult to see how tariffs that hurt US companies and US consumers will advance the government’s objectives with respect to China’s technology policies. We hope, instead, that you will reconsider these measures and work to find other, more effective solutions that leave the US economy and US consumer stronger and healthier than ever before.”

The US trade representative’s office received almost 6,000 responses to the proposed levies. On Friday Trump said the $200bn in tariffs could happen “very soon”.